Ukip Isn't Racist, Which Is Why Anne Marie Waters Shouldn't Be Leader: Ex-Party Whip

12 August 2017, 17:35 | Updated: 22 August 2017, 09:55

Ukip's Mike Hookem quit as the deputy party whip after it was announced a woman who called Islam a 'killing machine' is standing as a leadership candidate.

Ukip MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber Mike Hookem has quit as deputy party whip after it was announced controversial campaigner Anne Marie Waters is standing as a leadership candidate.

The Eurosceptic announced his departure after the party’s chief whip, Stuart Agnew, declared his support for Ms Waters on Saturday. 

Anne Marie, founder of group Sharia Watch, is one of 11 candidates cleared to run in the leadership contest by the Ukip national executive committee.

She has previously called Islam a “killing machine” and said the religion is 'evil'. But the former Labour Party activist insists she is “not a racist or a neo-fascist”.

Mr Hookem spoke to Ian Payne about his decision to quit following the shock move.

He said he had campaigned for years to show that Ukip is not a racist party, and that if Ms Waters is chosen, her election would contradict that.

Watch the clip to see what he had to say.